Lions vs. Vikings preview: Game # 12 (2021)

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PFT’s NFL Week 13 2021 picks

Vikings (-7) at Lions

MDS’s take: The Lions nearly earned their first victory of the season the first time these teams met, but this time I’m not expecting them to put up much of a fight.

MDS’s pick: Vikings 30, Lions 20.

Florio’s take: The dream in Minnesota of 9-8 and a one-and-done playoff berth still lives, at least for another week.

Florio’s pick: Vikings 31, Lions 17.


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This new thread relates to the following thread:

Lions vs. Vikings Injury info: Game # 12 ( 2021 )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1268/lions-vikings-injury-info-game?page=1&scrollTo=6461

If the Vikings get favorable overall injury / health news leading up to the game in Detroit, they likely will beat the Lions by a comfortable margin. If not, the Lions will have a realistic opportunity for a win in this game.

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Detroit News scouting report: Lions vs. Vikings
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Justin Jefferson was a 1st Round pick (pick #22) in 2020. If the 2020 Draft was done over, the Lions would have to seriously consider drafting Jefferson with pick # 3 if he was still available.

With the huge exception of a 48 yard run, the Lions did a good job with run Defense against Alexander Mattison in the game at Minnesota earlier this season. Including a forced fumble by LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin late in the game that set up the Lions TD (and 2 points conversion that gave the Lions a brief 17-16 lead. JRM is out of tomorrow's game with a shoulder injury.

Alexander Mattison is a good all around RB. But like the overwhelming majority (may be all) of other NFL RBs, he doesn't have the unique explosive abilities that Dalvin Cook has. The Lions need to be able to keep the Vikings running game under control with both Safeties providing help deep most of the time. With Cook not being healthy enough to play, the Lions have the luxury of attempting this strategy. The Lions can't let Justin Jefferson take this game over.

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Vikings vs. Lions: Three matchups to watch

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Evan Brown has exceeded expectations at Center for the Lions, as the injury replacement for 2020 Season Pro Bowl Center Frank Ragnow. Yet, power / bulky DTs like Michael Pierce and to a somewhat lesser extent Dalvin Tomlinson (who the Vikings activated from the COVID-19 List), are the types that are most challenging for Brown. Having the powerful Big V back at RG to help against Pierce and Tomlinson, especially against the run, is much needed for the Lions in the context of trying to finally get a win this season.

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Week 13 Prediction: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions


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This thread relates to the following thread:

Lions overall Defensive situation ( 2021 season )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1206/lions-defensive-situation-2021-season?page=1&scrollTo=6473


Vikings LB Eric Kendricks was ruled out for this game.

I'm not planning on picking the Lions to win this game. But I'm anticipating a closer game than 30-13 usually reflects. The Vikings are missing enough key pieces to the extent that the game probably won't be decided until somewhere in the last 2 minutes.

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Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings: Matchups to watch, key questions heading into Week 13

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Without Eric Hendricks for this game, Harrison Smith becomes that much more important for the Vikings Defense. Smith is like a coach on the field and a moving chess piece for Mike Zimmer. Smith has a long history of making big plays that are a result of Smith disguising where he's going to end up and his excellent anticipation.

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Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings predictions: Will Lions finally win in 2021?

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The Lions holding 5 out of 12 opponents under 20 points through this point of the season is something I gladly would have signed for before the start of the season. Especially, after the Lions Defense only did in once all of last season (road win over the Jaguars in mid October.).

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Vikings planning significant offensive line changes for Sunday’s game

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If this is indeed the Vikings Offensive Line plan. the Lions need to take advantage of Uli Udoh protecting Kirk Cousins on the edge. Getting the Vikings into 3rd Down and sizable situations and have Julian Okwara lining up off the edge on the Lions right side of the Defense is the matchup situation against Udoh that the Vikings would be the most vulnerable in.

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Lions inactive players vs. Vikings: D'Andre Swift, Jalen Reeves-Maybin among the list

Vikings vs. Lions: Week 13 inactives
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My prediction for the game is Vikings 23, Lions 17. The Lions haven't scored 20 or more points in 11 straight games. Even with Dalvin Cook and Christian Darrisaw out, it will be difficult for the Lions to keep the Vikings under 20 points again.